Just watched S/Z on TV. It's nice to see them back and they are doing great for their ages! That being said this performance was very slow...especially coming out of their lifts. Overscored too.

I agree with you. their Sp was a beauty and i can see that getting better.

But their Lp . They where slow when they were skating, but actual problem is lack of skating.They have relatively very little Ice coverage and it took them 20 secs to move outside the logo on the ice. they were not skating during the non required element, Stationary hand movements (Morozovish). Hope they won't win Olympic gold for this program in this format because it is not a life time achievement award.

Personally, I really like this program and I really am pleased to see them back - I do hope that can enjoy the season especially the Olympics and just skate (injury and nerve free) with joy.

Emma, thanks so much!!

I don't understand the critics of this program. I think it's beautiful and passionate. Even the costumes are gorgeous (which cannot be said of their SP - Hongbo, pls do something!). The only big weakness was the sbs jumps. I guess Xue's lift positions (and facial expression - she looks nervous) could be a little better, as someone said. But on the whole, they look strong, in command, emotional, and he tosses and lifts her like a cat. Even the Russian commentators' first words were Bravo, Brava! For a first time out, great job. I can't wait to see it again in two weeks!!!

(All this said, I admit that it's hard to watch them without a bit of fear. The words "geriatric case" float through my head. But they soon sent them away with that lyrical performance.)

Thank you for the video! I thought that Shen/Zhao were absolutely stunning. Yes, the lifts are a bit shaky and they must work on stamina and the wobbles on the sbs jumps, but the performance was fantastic. They are class and you see it the moment they step on the ice. IMO the high scores from the judges were just a recognition of the fact that they were without peers in that field. No disrespect to the other pairs, but there IS a difference between very good and great.

Thank you so much for linking us to this video! I echo Katha; there's a difference between good and great, and Shen and Zhao are great. They're musical, emotional, athletic, and fluid. How wonderful to see them in action again. I hope they remain healthy and strong through the World Championships, so we have many opportunities to see them.

I was tickled to hear the Russian commentators cheering for them at the end. I'd have done the same.Theirs is an excellence that belongs to the world, not just China.

Thank you for the video! I thought that Shen/Zhao were absolutely stunning. Yes, the lifts are a bit shaky and they must work on stamina and the wobbles on the sbs jumps, but the performance was fantastic. They are class and you see it the moment they step on the ice. IMO the high scores from the judges were just a recognition of the fact that they were without peers in that field. No disrespect to the other pairs, but there IS a difference between very good and great.

Agree with you. I honestly didn't expect them to be perfect right from the start, and those minor errors, knowing how perfectionist they are, I'm sure that they will work on improving speed, stamina and the execution of each element.

Originally Posted by Spun Silver

Emma, thanks so much!!

I don't understand the critics of this program. I think it's beautiful and passionate. Even the costumes are gorgeous (which cannot be said of their SP - Hongbo, pls do something!). The only big weakness was the sbs jumps. I guess Xue's lift positions (and facial expression - she looks nervous) could be a little better, as someone said. But on the whole, they look strong, in command, emotional, and he tosses and lifts her like a cat. Even the Russian commentators' first words were Bravo, Brava! For a first time out, great job. I can't wait to see it again in two weeks!!!

(All this said, I admit that it's hard to watch them without a bit of fear. The words "geriatric case" float through my head. But they soon sent them away with that lyrical performance.)

I love the programs and costumes. I though Xue's SP costume is great, I don't remember anything wrong with Hongbo's, may have to check a picture. I'm with you I was a bit on the edge watching them, because I want them to do well. I'm sure next time around they will feel more comfortable with it, and the program will advance with time. Overall I think they were fantastic!

S/Z were amazingly great and beautiful; yes they had minor issues with speed and some bobbles but they were very minor; they deserved there score they should get 9's in pcs; they are gold in my eyes; best choreograph program i seen this year love the entrances and transitions;

Love I/M's music. S/S skated to this music 4 years ago, it was one of their best.
I'm glad V/M have kept this program.
Zhang/Zhang's program is actually very cool with lots of original transitions, and they maintained the speed throughout. IMHO, Zhangs' programs this season are much more difficult and interesting that P/T, K/S, and M/T's. Many of the other pairs' programs are stale, simply some recycled elements & materials they've been using forever.Too bad judges don't seem to buy it.

But their Lp . They where slow when they were skating, but actual problem is lack of skating.They have relatively very little Ice coverage and it took them 20 secs to move outside the logo on the ice. they were not skating during the non required element, Stationary hand movements (Morozovish). Hope they won't win Olympic gold for this program in this format because it is not a life time achievement award.

I feel similarly about S/Z's program. I didn't realize they stayed that long in the middle logo on the ice at the beginning of the program... 20 seconds is too long. After their death spiral, they spend about another 20 seconds not really covering any ice either. Granted, they have a great excuse for needing extra rest during the program since they have been out of competition for so long, but I think it negatively impacts the program overall.

Obviously, S/Z did extremely well, and many of their elements were great. But this doesn't mean every element needs to be scored through the roof. This is not S/Z's fault--they are just following the rules-- but I dislike that their death spiral in that weird, contorted position can get +2s across the board and even a +3. And their second lift, where she does a relatively weak star position with what looks like a slight knee bend gets +2s across the board and a +3. Imagine if they had received credit for their pair spin...Their total score would have been insane!

Originally Posted by lakeshore

Can somebody tell me why D&B's scores were so low? I feel they're at least euqal to or better than the last two seasons. Their PCS is almost down to 5s.

They made a lot of mistakes today, they only do a 2twist, and I don't think they would get great PCS even when they skate well. I thought their marks were pretty fair for the program they delivered.

I agree with you. their Sp was a beauty and i can see that getting better.

But their Lp . They where slow when they were skating, but actual problem is lack of skating.They have relatively very little Ice coverage and it took them 20 secs to move outside the logo on the ice. they were not skating during the non required element, Stationary hand movements (Morozovish). Hope they won't win Olympic gold for this program in this format because it is not a life time achievement award.

S/S can still win the gold if they skate clean (That is a big if).

Saying that those two throw elements and the twist was a beauty,.

wah,,,although its just beginning of the season,,,I can see some people are already a bit upset seeing Shen/ Zhao come back with this high level of performance.... the score tells itself.

if ss still skate to "you'll never walk alone",,even if they are clean,,they will lose the gold....its such a boring program,,with repeating the melody three times,,with few innovations on the entries.....

nothing moves me at all,,,,,, it's kind of like zhangs' other boring long programs,,,, if ss win gold with this program? im not sure i want to watch pairs again!

and SS's costume always reminds me of those rotten bananas

and i doubt that ss would go back to their last season program,,, as the end part of the music is adagio as well,,,will they be ok to skate to the same piece of music with shen/zhao? which im not sure,,,cause SZ apparently have more expression, connection and feeling to the music.....thats what real pairs need!